Skilled trades workers, including electricians, face unique occupational stressors and a persistent labour shortage that may contribute to burnout, job dissatisfaction, and heightened intention to leave (ITL). This cross-sectional study of 73 electricians aimed to assess the prevalence of burnout, job satisfaction, and ITL and to explore the relationships between these factors while accounting for sociodemographic and occupational characteristics. Burnout (measured using the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory), was prevalent (31.8%) but not independently associated with ITL. Higher job satisfaction (measured using an adapted NIOSH Generic Job Stress Questionnaire) was linked to lower ITL (OR = 0.58, 95% CI [0.34, 0.96]). Apprentice status significantly increased the odds of ITL (OR = 6.59, 95% CI [1.48, 38.47]). Findings suggest that job satisfaction is a protective factor against turnover intention, while apprentices are at a greater risk of ITL - underscoring the need for targeted retention and mental health strategies in the skilled trades.
"Phubbing" (phone snubbing) has been consistently associated with negative intra- and interpersonal outcomes across various social contexts. However, the potential impact of phubbing on horizontal workplace relationships has not been extensively explored. The present study aimed to examine associations between coworker phubbing during breaks and social support and community, horizontal trust, and organizational commitment among electricians in Sweden. An auxiliary aim was to adapt and validate a coworker phubbing scale. In Studies 1a and 1b, confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess and validate the coworker phubbing scale in two samples. In Study 2, structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationship between phubbing and included psychosocial work environment measures. Exposure to phubbing from coworkers was associated with lower perceived support and community, trust, and commitment. The associations were stronger for more severe phubbing behaviors. Engaging in phubbing others was not considerably linked to the psychosocial measures. Younger participants reported engaging in more phubbing and lower perceived exposure to more severe phubbing. Smartphone habits at work may have implications for the psychosocial work environment and, by extension, important outcomes such as well-being, job satisfaction, performance, and turnover.
To examine whether demographic and health factors are associated with risk of electrical shocks and compared mental and physical health before and after an electrical shock. A 6-month cohort study of 6960 electricians involved weekly questionnaires regarding exposure to electrical shocks, and health. We examined the association between health and demographic factors and the risk of eventual electrical shocks and health before and after a shock. Youth and poor health were associated with risk of shocks. Reporting of numbness, cramps/spasms, tremors, tinnitus, dizziness, and flashbacks increased in the week of the shock, but only tinnitus and flashbacks persisted, as other symptoms receded. Severity, high voltage, cross-body exposure, wet entry/exit points, and direct current as well as health worries and/or neuroticism increased some estimates. Electrical shocks are common, but rarely result in health effects.
The health-related consequences of electrical shocks are mostly studied in patients from selected cohorts in hospital burn units, by making internal comparisons of subgroups, but without comparing them to unexposed individuals, or considering information regarding the preinjury health of the injured persons. Often, little is known about the details of the electrical shocks. Our purpose was to do a longitudinal study of Danish electrical workers, to monitor exposure to electrical shocks weekly over a 6-month period and to determine whether these shocks have short-term, health-related consequences. Prospective cohort study with weekly measurements. Members of the Danish Union of Electricians. Of the 22 284 invited, 6960 electricians (31%) participated in the baseline data collection, and the participation rate in the weekly follow-up ranged from 61% to 81% during the 6 month follow-up. The primary outcome measure was an electrical shock and secondary outcomes were the immediate health-related consequences of the shocks. A total of 2356 electrical shocks were reported by 1612 (23%) of the participants during the 26-week follow-up. Alternating current and voltage below 1000 V were the most common forms of electricity. In most cases, the fingers/hands were the entry and exit points, but many were unable to specify the exit point. The participants categorised 73% of the electrical shocks as 'not at all severe', and most of the shocks did not cause any immediate physical damage. However, flashbacks were more common than physical consequences. Only a few of the participants contacted health services following an electrical shock, and even fewer were absent from work. Nearly one-fourth of Danish electricians experienced one or more electrical shocks during a 26-week period, but most of the shocks are not perceived as severe, and have only limited immediate consequences.
(i) Background: Working in the electrical and plumbing sectors is physically demanding, and the incidence of physical injury and work disability is high. This study aimed to assess the mental health and well-being of skilled trades workers working in the electrical and plumbing sectors; (ii) Methods: Forty participants completed an online survey assessing burnout, work-related factors, and mental health issues. Data were analyzed to determine the association between demographics, the availability, and importance of work-related factors, and burnout using a two-sample Mann-Whitney U test; (iii) Results: Our findings showed that among the work-related factors, workplace safety, family commitments, income and benefits, and full-time employment opportunities might be crucial factors to keep study participants working at their current position. Financial support for external training, which was found to be the most important factor in preventing colleague-related burnout, was available to the satisfaction of approximately 50% of the participants; (iv) Conclusion: Work-related factors such as workplace safety and the availability and support for external training may be protective against all types of burnout among this population. Future studies may consider a larger sample size with a more diverse group of participants and perform an intersectional analysis to incorporate minority identities in the analyses.
In Canada, Ontario's shortage of electricians is linked to high physical demands and psychosocial stressors that may undermine worker well-being. Using a Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) informed lens, we conducted a cross-sectional online survey of self-employed electricians in Ontario (n = 188), assessing musculoskeletal symptoms (12-month), sleep quality, psychological distress, burnout (personal, work-related), and job satisfaction. Overall, 90.2% reported at least one musculoskeletal symptom in the past 12 months. Regression analyses revealed that sleep quality and years of experience significantly predicted psychological distress and burnout, with poorer sleep linked to higher personal and work-related burnout, greater psychological distress, and lower job satisfaction. More years of experience were associated with lower distress and burnout. Women reported higher psychological distress than men, highlighting inequality and discrimination in male-dominated trades. Apprentices experienced greater psychological distress [8.96 (SD = 8.29)] than non-apprentices [4.99 (SD = 6.59)], reflecting vulnerabilities associated with low wages, job insecurity, and a lack of support. These findings highlight the complex interplay of physical, psychological, and socio-structural factors in shaping electricians' health. Targeted interventions are crucial for promoting sustainable and inclusive environments in the electrical industry.
Construction workers, especially electricians, frequently perform overhead tasks on elevated platforms, increasing their risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and falls. This study evaluated the effects of three passive upper extremity exoskeletons (PUEEs) on shoulder muscle activity and postural balance during a simulated wire pulling task on a motion platform replicating scissor lift dynamics. Nine male participants completed tasks at two force levels (65 N and 130 N), with and without exoskeletons. Electromyography, motion capture, and force plate data were used to assess shoulder muscle activation, joint kinematics, and postural stability. The tested PUEEs significantly reduced peak activity in key shoulder muscles-including upper trapezius (-17 % to -38 %) and much of deltoid (-1 % to -49 %)-without increasing load in the back or lower limbs. Postural stability improved with the tested PUEEs (5 %-25 %), particularly with the heavy ones, though distinct kinematic changes were observed across models. These results suggest that PUEEs may reduce biomechanical strain and improve balance during static or quasi-static overhead work, but task-specific demands and device characteristics should be carefully considered.
Occupational eyelid dermatitis (ED) is a much-neglected issue in public health, with important ramifications for patients' quality of life, employment and facial aesthetics. Patients with occupational ED are often younger, male and with an atopic background compared with those with non-occupational ED. Common contact allergens include rubber additives, acrylates, isothiazolinones, fragrances, epoxy resins, potassium dichromate, colophonium, metals and topical medications. Contact allergens and irritants may cause occupational ED by direct or indirect exposure, for example, through transfer by hands, airborne exposure or connubial contact. At-risk occupations include healthcare workers, hairdressers, industrial workers, electricians, cleaning staff, gardeners and florists as well as artists and craftsmen. The diagnostic work-up should include medical and employment history and exposure analysis in addition to clinical manifestations according to Mathias' diagnostic criteria. Patch testing with standardized series as well as consideration of semi-open or use tests with the patient's own work-related materials are essential. The differential diagnosis requires a multidisciplinary approach to exclude ED of other aetiologies. Occupational ED is an important issue in public health meriting better reporting, medical surveillance and public health policies to ensure the safety and well-being of the employees.
This paper proposes a novel fault-identification method for micro-coils in relays with forcibly guided contacts, a type of electromechanical elementary component (EMEC), combining a composite analytical model, a 2D thermal model, and a 1D-CNN. A low-order thermal circuit with one central node and four boundary nodes is established, while a two-dimensional anisotropic Poisson equation is used as a high-order calibration model. The two models are coupled through iterative correction of reusable thermal resistances. For thermal aging, enamel-film delamination, and inter-turn short-circuit faults, thermal-conductivity attenuation, asymmetric branch-resistance perturbation, and localized abnormal heat-source injection are introduced to generate physically constrained temperature sequences. Orthogonal centerline temperature distributions are extracted as one-dimensional feature vectors for 1D-CNN classification. Simulation results show that the hybrid model has an error of approximately 1.7% compared with finite-element results, and the trained 1D-CNN achieves 98.13% accuracy on 160 test samples. Experimental reconstruction and deep-feature visualization further verify its ability to distinguish normal, aging, delamination, and local short-circuit states.
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening manifestation of venous thromboembolism, typically associated with identifiable risk factors such as immobilization, surgery, malignancy, or trauma. However, in young individuals without apparent triggers, underlying thrombophilic states must be investigated. Hyperhomocysteinemia is an often overlooked yet reversible metabolic risk factor contributing to thrombogenesis. We report a 31-year-old male electrician presenting with acute-onset breathlessness, pleuritic chest pain, and cough. Clinical evaluation revealed tachypnea, tachycardia, and hypoxemia. Electrocardiography demonstrated sinus tachycardia with an S1Q3T3 pattern. Arterial blood gas analysis showed hypoxemia with respiratory alkalosis. Computed tomography pulmonary angiography confirmed a significant thrombus in the right main pulmonary artery causing >50% luminal obstruction. Echocardiography revealed right heart strain. Routine thrombophilia workup was negative; however, markedly elevated serum homocysteine (>65 μmol/L) with low folate and borderline Vitamin B12 levels was noted. The patient was treated with anticoagulation and vitamin supplementation with clinical improvement. This case highlights hyperhomocysteinemia as a reversible yet under-recognized cause of unprovoked PE. Early detection and correction can significantly reduce recurrence risk and improve outcomes. RésuméL’embolie pulmonaire (EP) est une manifestation potentiellement mortelle de la thromboembolie veineuse, généralement associée à des facteurs de risque identifiables tels que l’immobilisation, la chirurgie, les cancers ou les traumatismes. Cependant, chez les jeunes individus sans facteur déclenchant apparent, la recherche d’états thrombophiliques sous-jacents est indispensable. L’hyperhomocystéinémie constitue un facteur de risque métabolique réversible, souvent négligé, contribuant à la thrombogenèse. Nous rapportons le cas d’un homme de 31 ans, électricien, présentant une dyspnée aiguë, une douleur thoracique pleurétique et une toux. L’évaluation clinique a révélé une tachypnée, une tachycardie et une hypoxémie. L’électrocardiogramme a montré une tachycardie sinusale avec un aspect S1Q3T3. L’analyse des gaz du sang artériel a mis en évidence une hypoxémie associée à une alcalose respiratoire. L’angioscanner thoracique a confirmé la présence d’un thrombus important dans l’artère pulmonaire principale droite entraînant une obstruction luminale supérieure à 50 %. L’échocardiographie a révélé une souffrance cardiaque droite. Le bilan de thrombophilie de routine était négatif ; cependant, une hyperhomocystéinémie marquée (>65 μmol/L) associée à un faible taux de folates et à des taux limites de vitamine B12 a été observée. Le patient a été traité par anticoagulation et supplémentation vitaminique, avec une amélioration clinique notable. Ce cas met en évidence l’hyperhomocystéinémie comme une cause réversible mais sous-reconnue d’EP non provoquée. Une détection précoce et une correction adaptée peuvent réduire significativement le risque de récidive et améliorer le pronostic.
Electrical cataracts are an uncommon but clinically significant consequence of high-voltage injuries. Their onset may occur within weeks or months, and, without timely recognition, they may cause severe visual impairment. Electrical current induces thermal and direct cellular damage to the lens epithelium, leading to accelerated opacification distinct from age-related cataracts. A 52-year-old electrician sustained a 23,000-volt electrical burn during a workplace accident, with the current entering through the left arm and exiting through the facial and cervical regions. Two months later, he developed rapidly progressive bilateral visual loss. Ophthalmologic examination revealed mature cataracts in both eyes, normal intraocular pressure, without ultrasonography evidence of posterior segment abnormalities. Visual evoked potentials demonstrated moderate conduction delay with intact pathways. Bilateral phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation was performed, resulting in significant improvement, with visual acuity increasing from hand-motion perception to 20/40. High-voltage trauma can produce rapidly progressive bilateral cataracts even in the absence of retinal or optic nerve injury. Early ophthalmologic evaluation is essential in patients with electrical burns, as timely surgical management allows meaningful visual restoration and prevents long-term disability. las cataratas eléctricas son una complicación poco frecuente, pero clínicamente relevante, de las lesiones por alto voltaje. Su aparición puede ocurrir semanas o meses después del trauma y, sin un diagnóstico oportuno, causar un deterioro visual importante. La corriente eléctrica genera daño térmico y directo en el epitelio del cristalino, favoreciendo una opacificación acelerada distinta de la catarata senil. hombre de 52 años, electricista, que sufrió una quemadura eléctrica de 23,000 voltios, con entrada por el brazo izquierdo y salida por la región facial y cervical. Dos meses después presentó pérdida visual bilateral rápidamente progresiva. La evaluación reveló cataratas maduras en ambos ojos, presión intraocular normal y segmento posterior íntegro en el ultrasonido. Los potenciales evocados mostraron un retraso moderado, con vías conservadas. Se realizó facoemulsificación bilateral con implante de lente intraocular, logrando una notable mejoría visual, pasando de movimientos de mano a 20/40. el trauma eléctrico de alto voltaje puede producir cataratas bilaterales de rápida progresión, incluso sin daño retiniano u óptico. La evaluación oftalmológica temprana es esencial, pues el manejo quirúrgico oportuno permite una recuperación visual significativa y previene la discapacidad permanente.
Monteggia fracture-dislocations in adults require restoration of ulnar length and alignment to maintain radiocapitellar stability. Fixation failure with refracture and recurrent radial head dislocation is typically managed surgically. A 42-year-old right-hand dominant male electrician sustained a fall on level ground and presented with pain and swelling around the left elbow and proximal forearm and an inability to mobilize the elbow. He had undergone open reduction and internal fixation for a Monteggia injury 2 years prior. Radiographs demonstrated breakage of an anatomical olecranon plate with refracture at the proximal ulna and lateral radial head dislocation. After swelling subsided, implant removal was performed. Periosteal reaction around the proximal ulna and distal humerus raised concern for infection; however, no intraoperative purulence was seen, and cultures were negative. Definitive reconstruction was advised, but the patient refused repeat surgery and was lost to follow-up. At 2 years follow-up, radiographs showed persistent proximal ulnar fibrous non-union and chronic lateral radial head dislocation; clinically, he had minimal pain, preserved functional elbow motion, Mayo Elbow Performance Score 90, and QuickDASH 4.5/100. This case highlights clinical-radiological dissociation after failed Monteggia fixation. While surgical reconstruction remains standard, selected patients with minimal pain, clinically stable fibrous non-union, and acceptable function, especially with informed refusal of surgery, may be managed with careful observation and counseling regarding potential late deterioration.
Electrocution remains a significant cause of workplace fatalities, particularly in high-voltage environments. Diagnostic challenges arise from the often non-specific internal and external autopsy findings, necessitating robust evidence for reconstructing events and determining liability. This report presents a case of fatal high-voltage electrocution at a hydroelectric plant, focusing on the analysis of suspected electrical entry and exit wounds using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). A middle-aged male electrician sustained fatal injuries while working on a 63 kV transformer. Autopsy revealed electrical burns consistent with electrocution. SEM-EDS analysis identified an electrical entry wound on the right hand, characterized by metallization consistent with contact with a conductive object, specifically a metal tape measure found near the body. This finding supports a scenario involving safety protocol violations and human error. Multiple exit wounds were observed, a recognized phenomenon in high-voltage electrocutions. Notably, metallization was confirmed at exit wounds in skin samples from the left hand and feet, a finding typically considered a hallmark of electrical entry wounds. This unexpected observation underscores the importance of analyzing both entry and exit wounds with SEM-EDS to avoid misinterpretations. This case highlights the crucial role of SEM-EDS in the forensic analysis of electrical injuries, facilitating accurate event reconstruction and aiding in liability assessment.
Women, Indigenous peoples, racialized individuals, and persons with disabilities remain underrepresented in the electrical industry. This study explored the lived experience of underrepresented electrical workers related to their mental health and workplace integration. A qualitative narrative design was employed. One-on-one interviews were conducted with eleven participants who self-identified as women, Indigenous peoples, racialized individuals, and/or persons with disabilities. Interview data were first analyzed using a narrative thematic approach and informed the development of creative non-fictional stories. Three stories were developed. Story 1 - "Asking for a ride: being a women electrician" illustrated the experiences of a woman apprentice who faced inadequate job site accommodations and sexism challenges in the workplace. Story 2 - "The lunch talk: Indigenous people and racialized individuals in the trade" highlighted the experiences of Indigenous and racialized participants who encountered language barriers and discriminatory comments. Story 3 - "Luke's notes: living and working with disability" demonstrated the impacts of physical disability on the daily work of electrical workers, particularly in managing the physical demands and mental health strains. Electrical workers from underrepresented groups experience persistent barriers to mental health and workplace integration, including a lack of accommodations, limited social support, and experiences of discrimination at the workplace. These individuals also reported challenges in seeking workplace support due to a "toughness" culture within the industry. Electrical employers should foster an inclusive organizational culture that prioritizes the health and psychosocial well-being of underrepresented workers.
Given the paucity of data regarding workplace risk of COVID-19, particularly from countries with limited lockdowns, we aimed to quantify the occupational risks of COVID-19-related hospital admission among workers in Sweden. We identified 607,179 employed individuals, 20-69 years of age, in Skåne, Sweden. From December 31st, 2019-December 31st 2021, 2,633 incident COVID-19-related admissions were identified. Using a job exposure matrix for risk of becoming infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus in an occupational setting we delineated occupations with low work-related risk. Based on these reference occupations, incidence rate ratios (IRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed by Poisson regression for four-digit occupations defined by the International Standard Classification of Occupations job codes (ISCO-08). After adjusting for various sociodemographic characteristics, risk compared to reference occupations was elevated among healthcare occupations as a group (IRR 1.31; 95% CI: 1.13-1.51), with nurses, healthcare assistants, and nursing aids having the highest IRRs (ranging from 1.28-1.54). In the educational sector, no apparent elevated overall risk was observed (IRR 1.03; 95% CI: 0.86-1.23). For the transportation sector, an overall excess risk was observed (IRR 1.34; 95% CI: 1.10-1.65), with bus and tram drivers having the highest risks. IRRs < 1 were observed among electricians, some builders, and software developers. Excess risk of COVID-19-related hospital admission was observed in many patient-facing occupations across the healthcare sector and in multiple occupations within the transportation sector. However, despite limited lockdowns and legislation, no apparent increased risks were observed in the educational or retail sales sectors.
To address the vulnerability of all-fiber optical current transformer (FOCT) transmission lines to external vibrations and temperature variations, this study introduces a differential high stability current transformer (SFOCT). This system was subject to simulation, analysis, and practical evaluation on a custom experimental platform designed for vibration and temperature cycling tests. The findings demonstrate that when the transmission line is subjected to vibration interferences at 250 Hz with amplitudes of 50 µm and 99.5 µm, the average ratio errors are 0.153% and 0.165%. Additionally, within a temperature range of -10∘ C to 60°C, the ratio error of SFOCT stays within 0.1% throughout the temperature variation range. These results confirm that the SFOCT meets the international 0.2S level accuracy standard for electricians, thereby proving its robust resistance to vibration and temperature changes.
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy among South African women and remains a leading cause of cancer-related death, yet the role of occupation as an independent predictor of mortality has not been evaluated nationally. In this unmatched case-control study using 2011-2019 mortality data, we compared 13,207 breast cancer deaths with 64,849 non-malignant circulatory disease deaths among women aged 30 years and older, classifying usual occupation into major and sub-groups. A multivariable binary logistic regression adjusting for age, year of death, education, province of death and smoking status was conducted. We observed that compared with elementary occupations, breast cancer mortality was significantly higher during 2011-2015 among legislators, senior officials and managers (aMOR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.36-2.36), clerks (aMOR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.46-2.11), professionals (aMOR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.36-1.94), craft and related trades workers (aMOR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.18-2.05), technicians and associate professionals (aMOR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.21-1.96), and service workers, shop and market sales workers (aMOR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.10-1.62), with similar patterns persisting in 2016-2019 where technicians and associate professionals (aMOR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.44-1.98), legislators, senior officials and managers (aMOR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.20-2.10), professionals (aMOR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.23-1.75), clerks (aMOR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.24-1.65), and service workers (aMOR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.12-1.61) again showed elevated odds. The sub-occupation analyses for 2011-2015 identified strikingly high risks among building and related trades workers excluding electricians (aMOR = 8.01, 95% CI: 3.06-20.96), legal, social and cultural professionals (aMOR = 3.32, 95% CI: 2.18-5.04), and business and administration professionals (aMOR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.60-2.97). The results underscore occupation as an essential determinant of breast cancer mortality, highlighting the need for targeted prevention and screening strategies in workers.
This study examined occupational histories in multiple system atrophy to identify environmental associations of potential relevance to disease causation. A total of 270 neuropathologically confirmed cases of multiple system atrophy obtained from the Mayo Clinic Brain Bank for neurodegenerative disorders in Jacksonville, Florida, were included in this case-control study. Demographic and disease information was collected from medical records. Information regarding occupational history was collected retrospectively from medical records and published obituaries. Proportions of employment by occupational sector were compared with US census data. When comparing patients with US census data, significant differences were identified for education (15.2% versus 2.3%, P < 0.001), administration (14.8% versus 4.1%, P < 0.001), clerical (10.7% versus 5.5%, P = 0.001), petroleum industry (8.9% versus 5.6%, P = 0.024), metal industry (7.8% versus 3.0%, P < 0.001), electrical engineers and electricians (5.6% versus 0.4%, P < 0.001), civil or mechanical engineering (4.4% versus 0.2%, P < 0.001), real estate (4.4% versus 0.7%, P < 0.001), information technology (4.1% versus 1.8%, P = 0.011), woodworking (3.0% versus 0.03%, P < 0.001), writing or publishing (2.6% versus 0.3%, P < 0.001), law (2.2% versus 0.4%, P = 0.001), hairdressing (0.7% versus 0.1%, P = 0.03), and social work (0.7% versus 0.1%, P = 0.03). The listed occupational categories were significantly overrepresented in our series of patients with multiple system atrophy as compared with population data. We hypothesize that these occupational associations may signify environmental exposures, increasing the disease risk in genetically susceptible individuals. We cannot exclude a potential selection bias in patients willing to donate their brains to an academic center to contribute to scientific knowledge.
The study investigated the association between occupational biomechanical risk factors and the occurrence of thumb carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis (CMC1 OA) in construction workers. Male construction workers (n=237 525), participating in a Swedish occupational surveillance programme between 1971 and 1993, were followed between 1997 and 2019. CMC1 OA diagnoses were identified through linkage with national medical registries. Job title, smoking status, height, weight and age were collected from the surveillance programme. A job exposure matrix (JEM) was developed with exposure estimates on biomechanical risk factors for each occupational group. Relative risk (RR) of CMC1 OA diagnosis was calculated using a Poisson regression model. There was an increased risk of CMC1 OA for all biomechanical risk factors (RR range 1.3-1.5). Exposure-response patterns were seen for repetitive wrist flexion and extension (low: RR 1.30 (95% CI 1.07 to 1.59), moderate: 1.32 (95% CI 1.07 to 1.62), high: 1.45 (95% CI 1.19 to 1.75)), wrist extension (low: 1.31 (95% CI 1.09 to 1.59), moderate: 1.41 (95% CI 1.17 to 1.70) and heavy lifting (low: 1.13 (95% CI 0.92 to 1.38), moderate: 1.45 (95% CI 1.18 to 1.77), high: 1.50 (95% CI 1.24 to 1.82). Electricians (1.29 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.89)), concrete workers (1.31 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.67)), plumbers (1.37 (95% CI 1.07 to 1.76)), sheet-metal workers (1.58 (95% CI 1.18 to 2.10)), wood workers (1.66 (95% CI 1.36 to 2.03)), repairers (1.75 (95% CI 1.06 to 2.90)) and glass workers (2.21 (95% CI 1.42 to 3.44) had an increased risk of CMC1 OA compared with the reference group. Wrist movements and hand loading were associated with CMC1 OA.
Anthracite offers several advantages, including a high carbon content, a well-developed aromatic structure, and low cost, making it a cost-effective precursor for hard carbon anodes in sodium-ion batteries. However, its higher impurity levels and fewer surface defects limit its broader applications. Herein, an activation and surface modification strategy is proposed to address its shortcomings, specifically low sodium storage-ion capacity and low initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE). ZnCl2 is used as an activator to introduce numerous pores into the structure of hard carbon, thereby increasing the sodium-ion storage sites. Furthermore, soft carbon pitch is applied to refine the oversized pore structure in hard carbon, improving its ICE. As a result, the modified hard carbon achieves a reversible capacity of 240 mAh g-1 and an ICE of 82.52% at a discharge rate of 0.1C. The PCAC-1200 also demonstrates good cycle stability with 76.2% retention after 100 cycles. Besides, it still has a capacity of 101.2 mAh g-1 at a high magnification of 5C. The anthracite hard carbon anode prepared by activation-surface modification strategy is believed to show good application prospects in the field of sodium-ion energy storage.